Mansfield mourns Army Spc. Corey Shea

Monday

Funeral services were held Monday morning at St. Mary's church in Mansfield for Army Spc. Corey Shea, who was killed in action in Iraq on Nov. 12.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at St. Mary's church in Mansfield for Army Spc. Corey Shea, who was killed in action in Iraq on Nov. 12.

The town stood still as traffic was stopped and the flag-covered coffin was carried through town in a black hearse. The procession of more than 25 cars drove down East Street, past Shea’s alma mater, Mansfield High, as children came outside and lined the street in honor of the fallen soldier.

Shea’s sister Kristen Anderson shared memories of her brother with the hundreds of people who attended the funeral service, Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Barney Frank among them.

“He will never be forgotten,” Anderson said. “Never will a day ever go without him being missed. Forever he will stay in my heart as my big brother.”

The Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, a St. Mary’s pastor, told mourners the tragedy showed the “rawness of life.”

“Years after this terrible event, we might know more details,” Avila said. “But we will never fully understand.”

Shea was laid to rest Monday at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.